Proud moment for India; PM Modi receives a UN Award

4 months ago

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New Delhi, Oct 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives the 'UNEP Champions of the Earth' award from United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at a ceremony in Delhi. A clean and green environment is at the root of his government's policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Delhi Wednesday as he was presented the UN's Champions of the Earth Award by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN's highest environmental honour for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action.

In his address, Modi said climate and calamity are linked to culture, and it will be difficult to avoid calamity as long as concerns for the climate do not become a part of culture.

From agriculture and industrial policies to building houses and construction of toilets, the need for a clean environment has been driving his government's programmes, Modi said.

India's commitment to environment has only increased, he said, adding that his government is working to bring down "emission intensity" by 20-25 per cent in the next two years against its 2005 figure and by 30-35 per cent by 2030.

He said his government has succeeded in changing people's behaviour, an apparent reference to 'Swachhta Abhiyan'. The honour bestowed on him is a recognition of Indian tribes living in forests who respect trees more than their lives, its fishermen who capture only as much fish as they need to earn their living and farmers whose lives are intertwined with the cycle of seasons, he said. -- PTI